July 10, 2021 Issue, Page 8 of 10

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8 July 10, 2021 Lifestyle Elk City Rocks the Block for Four Years Running “Panthers in the house” Now, as one of our Midwestʼs standing that our weather forecast can be just The four-year-old little girl had a startlingly vivid imagination. She loved to live in a make-believe world of her own, and expected everyone else who happened to be around to follow along. be” whatsoever. We were told in effect, took it to heart. We saved water, gather One day she and little brother were with us for the afternoon. It carefully prepared for our pets, vehicles, was raining outside, so they were captive in the house. Renie was the best we could in the kitchen preparing lunchto andtake all the soon heard precautio growling noises coming from the living room. Glancing in, she spied Bailey lying simply didnʼt believe in making a lot of p on top of the back of the couch, purring and growling occasion- ally. Her little body was unmoving, but her slitted eyes were constantly roving around the room. Britton was crawling around on the floor, growling and sniffing the air. Mystified and amused, Renie watched for a minute and then that those asked what statesSlit-Eyes was happening. couldonlypredict, andtoward flicked her eyes thos her and never said a word. Little Brother broke character long statesto inform enough werehis Nanna definitely that theynot prepared were panthers in the to for- ha who thinks to prepare Alaska for a 115-d est. orSatisfied entitywith could be Renie the answer, blamed returnedfor this once-in- to finishing lunch. When she had soup and sandwiches on their plates, she called for all hungry grandkids to come to the table to eat. No answer. warnings Looking in again,of shewhat was saw Britton coming…because looking up at Bailey and asking in his baby voice, “Baiwey, can we quit being panthers now? I’m hungwy!” Renie watched patiently as the scenario unfolded. Never mov- future. The ing a muscle, deathfinally Old Slit-Eyes rate here deigned on to let her earth gaze dropis to 10 the baby panther on the ground and menacingly whispered, “No. Panthers don’t eat soup. I’m up in a tree, waiting on a baby deer.” At this point, Nanna had enough and stated in no uncertain terms that she was not serving baby deer on a platter to panthers, By Burgundy Lee Hanra- located downtown, says that 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the crowd stay open until at least 8 p.m. han the block parties “have a goal enjoyed the local music and those evenings. and if Bailey wanted to eat, she better come to the table right of bringing live music and a food and lawn games such as Flowers shared that the now. For four years now the free community event to the Jenga and Yahtzee. Organi- next block party, to be held In total amazement she watched as that child stealthily slipped Elk City Chamber of Com- downtown area.” zations such as Great Plains August 6, will feature live mu- merce has held a block party The latest block party Regional Medical Center and sic from Kyle Brewer as well from her watch post on the back of the couch. Smoothly as a typically boasting live music, which was July 2 featured live the Elk City Fire Department as the band Atlantis Aquarius. stalking panther, Bailey slithered silently off the couch to the food trucks, games and other music from Matt Moran as made an appearance as well. In Flowers and the Chamber in- activities each month of the well as the band From A to Z. addition, the block party pro- vite everyone to come “hang- floor. She then slinked on all fours in a threatening crawl toward summer season (June, July Also present were food trucks vides an opportunity to shop out with your neighbors.” her Nanna. Eyes still slitted and strangely glittering. and August). Brittini Flowers, Brown’s Grill, Abby’s Authen- later than normal as many Same time, same place. Find Coffeetimecolumn.com Chamber member and owner tic Mexican Food, Pacific Brim of the stores on Main Street Block Party Elk City on Face- of 580 Threads, a boutique and Sno Way Shaved Ice. From and in the surrounding area book for more information. Send responses to: [email protected] Poolside Picks Dive into your summer reading list FAMILY FEATURES aying out on the beach and floating in the L pool are true hallmarks of summer. A good book, however, can elevate these relaxing experiences to a new level. Whether you find yourself looking for a beach read, a book for the pool or something to help you escape while lounging on the couch with the windows open, these sizzling summer reads offer something for nearly every type of reader. From suspense to romance and adventure, you don’t want to miss these books this summer. Find more titles to add to your summer reading list at Facebook.com/WilliamMorrowBooks. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Romantic Adventure Transatlantic Love Proves Anything Story Raises the Can Happen Royal Stakes No. 1 “New York Times” bestseller “New York Times” and “USA Susan Elizabeth Phillips returns to her Today” bestselling author Alyssa Chicago Stars series with a romance Cole’s second Runaway Royals between a quarterback and one of novel, “How to Find a Princess,” Some Secrets Aren’t Meant to is an Anastasia-inspired romance the world’s greatest opera singers – Be Shared and a major diva – in “When Stars featuring a long-lost princess From author Meg Mitchell Moore comes a warm, witty Collide.” It’s Mozart meets Monday who finds love with the female and suspenseful novel filled with small-town secrets, investigator tasked with tracking night football as the temperamental summer romance, big time lies and spiked seltzer. In her down. When a threat to her soprano and stubborn jock embark grandmother’s livelihood pushes “Two Truths and A Lie” the leader of an idyllic beach on a nationwide tour promoting a the princess to return to Ibarania, town “mom squad” has made surprising effort to include luxury watch brand, they engage the investigator takes her on a a new resident and her daughter in typically closed-group in soul-searching, trash talk and transatlantic adventure. When activities, though they’re not the only ones she’s been backstage drama. Threatening letters, they finally make it, they realize spending more time with. A blend of propulsive thriller haunting photographs and a series of there’s more at stake than just and gorgeous summer read, Moore’s latest novel is a dangerous encounters also complicate cash and crown, and the princess reminder that happiness isn’t always a day at the beach, their lives and make them wonder if must learn what it means to fight some secrets aren’t meant to be shared and the most it’s the work of an overzealous fan or for what she desires rather than precious things are loved ones. something more sinister. what she feels bound to by duty.